Crossword solution

2486: Ghost Companions – solution

Unclued lights are nicknames of works by Beethoven, born 250 years ago. The title referred to the Ghost piano trio, Op. 70/1. First prize Carlos de Pommes, Walton on Thames, SurreyRunners-up R.P. Wright, Loughton, Essex; Damian Hassan, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham

2485: Triplets – solution

Each of the unclued lights includes the same letter three times in succession. First prize Tom Rollinson, Borehamwood, HertsRunners-up Lynn Gilchrist, Willoughby, NSW, Australia; Brian Midgley, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire

2483: In my soup – solution

Unclued lights are anagrams of animals: PRAENOMINA (1A: Pomeranian), MARTIAN (18: tamarin), LARBOARD (21: Labrador), SHORE (28: horse), PROTEIN (42: pointer), MACLE (6: camel), MENTALISM (24: Simmental), LATER (25: ratel), CREMATE (31: meercat) and MAGYAR (34: margay). The title suggests the song ‘Animal Crackers in My Soup’. First prize A.R. Wightman, Harpenden, HertsRunners-up Roderick Rhodes,

2482: Perm all five – solution

The unclued lights each contain all five vowels once only, but in different orders. First prize Dr Stephen Clarkson, Hadleigh, Suffolk Runners-up Roslyn Shapland, Ilkeston, Derbyshire; P. and D. Keating, Beeford, Yorkshire

2481: Octet solution

The octet associated with CHERRY STONES (19) is: tinker (1A), tailor (40), soldier (20), sailor (15), rich man (6A), poor man (23), beggar man (1D), thief (32). First prize Anthony Briggs, Brinkworth, WiltsRunners-up Donald Bain, Edinburgh; G.R. Greig, Victoria BC, Canada

2480: Warning – solution

Ten symmetrically placed unclued lights are synonyms for the warning ‘WATCH OUT’. First prize Andy Wallace, Ash Green, CoventryRunners-up Caroline Arms, Ithaca, New York; Stephen Smith, Messing, Essex

2478: Namesakes – solution

The lyrics of the perimetric I’M POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN and FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN were written by Sammy Lerner, while the lyricist of THE RAIN IN SPAIN and I TALK TO THE TREES (3D/16) was Alan Jay Lerner. LERNER (in the tenth row) was to be shaded. First prize Ann Holme, Salisbury, WiltshireRunners-up Nicholas

2477: Rendezvous – solution

The unclued lights take an extra letter to make BRAMBLING (1A), BUDGIE (12A), STARLING (14A), REDSTART (23A), BRANCHER (27A), TURACO (34A), STILT (35A) and CHOUGH (38A), which could then meet at a BIRDBATH. First prize Alasdair MacKenzie, Hambledon, HantsRunners-up Judith Cookson, Prestbury, Cheltenham, Glos; Bill Stewart, Leicester

2476: Playtime solution

The unclued lights form pairs of famous soloists and the instruments they play; 1A/19, 5/34, 23/8, 31/39, 43/16A. First prize Andrew Herbert, Brooke, NorfolkRunners-up Alexia Dobbs, Tilston, Cheshire; Philip Berridge, Gosberton, Lincs

2475: Poem VI – solution

The poem was The Brook by Alfred Tennyson. The words were HERN (8A), LINGER (20), BRIMMING (32A), FLOW (40), TROUT (44), SLIP (2), SPARKLE (6), SWALLOWS (21), BICKER (32D) and STARS (37). ALFRED TENNYSON (diagonally from 1) was to be shaded. First prize R.A. Percy, Southport, North CarolinaRunners-up Hugh Alpin, London SW19 Rosie Bailey, Swindon

2474: Love Me Do solution

In George Orwell’s 1984 WINSTON SMITH (31/3) worked for the MINISTRY of TRUTH (43/21). The MINISTRY of LOVE (43/34) got him for THOUGHT CRIME (24/35) and sent him to ROOM 101 (28). He finally gave in to BIG BROTHER (15). First prize Clare Robinson, SheffieldRunners-up Ian Laming, Chippenham, Wiltshire; Brenda Widger, Bowdon, Cheshire

2473: May solution

The unclued lights, along with Peter MAY in the title, are England cricket captains. First prize Harry Hyman, Streatley, West Berks Runners-up Val Urquhart, Butcombe, North Somerset; Hilary James, London W5

2472: All-inclusive solution

The perimeter quotation is from Mahler. Remaining unclued lights were names of symphonies: 12A Mahler / Schubert; 26A Haydn; 39A Britten; 11D Liszt; 18D Beethoven. ‘Titan’, the name of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, was to be highlighted. First prize Margaret Lusk, Preston, Lancs Runners-up David Heath, Elston, Newark; Mrs S. Arnold, London SW9

2471: Inky solution

The unclued lights can be preceded by BLACK. First prize Stephanie Reeve, Papworth Everard, CambridgeRunners-up Hilda Ball, Belfast; Peter Chapman, South Perth, Western Australia

2470: Express route solution

The unclued lights are places served by the Norwegian HURTIGRUTEN ferries from Bergen to Kirkenes. Tromsø (at 4D) overruns into the first O of 22 Down. First prize Barbara Butterworth, Princes Risborough, BucksRunners-up Alexander Caldin, Salford, Oxon; Glynn Downton, Maidstone, Kent

2469: Breadth solution

The unclued lights were: 12 CORNI, anagram of Corin (As You Like It); 23 MANDIRA, Miranda (The Tempest); 27 LARDOON, Orlando (As You Like It); 38 GRADE, Edgar (King Lear); 1D SIROC, Osric (Hamlet); 8 HAMPERING, Erpingham (Henry V); 21D EUTROPHIC, Petruchio (The Taming of the Shrew); 34 ANGER, Regan (King Lear). Title: anagram of

2468: noah entry? solution

The puzzle’s number 2468 was printed above the grid, hence ‘The theme is confirmed by the information provided.’ Letters deficient in the wordplay of eighteen clues spell out TWO, FOUR, SIX and EIGHT in rows and columns 2, 4, 6 and 8 respectively. The title, a pun on ‘No Entry’, alluded to animals entering Noah’s

2467: Girl Talk solution

The unclued lights, 3/34, 12/31, 26/1A/33, 35/9, 39 and 18 PEAKE (an anagram of the red highlighted letters), are six of the actresses who appeared in the recent BBC production of Talking Heads. First prize Chris Edwards, Pudsey, LeedsRunners-up Elizabeth Duff, London NW3; Jenny Atkinson, Amersham, Bucks